Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 184

Qi Yun had guessed that his parents would be surprised, but he hadn't expected the old couple to react so strongly.

When the bowl fell to the ground, Qi Yun immediately stood up, supported Father Qi, and turned to Tie Zi: "Clean it up quickly, don't let anyone get hurt by the pieces."

Tie Zi didn't need anyone else to help. He ran to get cleaning supplies and swept the floor clean, then efficiently withdrew and thoughtfully closed the door.

Father Qi still hadn't recovered, staring blankly at Qi Yun.

Liu Shi was somewhat better. As a mother, she naturally hoped all her children would do better and better. She had long known that the emperor intended to arrange Third Son's marriage, but this in-law family was really too elevated.

At first, when she received Qi Yun's letter, Liu Shi thought that since the imperial family currently had no princesses of suitable age, perhaps some county princess or other noble lady had taken a fancy to Third Son and wanted to recruit him as a son-in-law. Otherwise, how could it involve an imperial marriage decree?

This kind of thing wasn't actually uncommon. Every year among the successful candidates, some would be chosen by high-ranking families. Moreover, not all the nobles in the current court were imperial relatives. There were also those who had been granted titles for generational merit. It wasn't uncommon for daughters of such families to want to find newly successful scholars as husbands.

But now the Meng family that Qi Yun mentioned was better than all of these!

Noble titles sounded impressive, with hereditary positions in the family, rightfully making them high-ranking households. But ordinary families like theirs weren't very willing to seek daughters from such families.

Not only were they difficult to get along with due to their noble status, but even carrying a title only meant previous generations planted trees for later generations to enjoy the shade. No matter how flourishing the tree, it couldn't guarantee that current descendants would all be successful.

Many successful scholars were full of knowledge and grand ambitions, but once chosen by such families, few could make their mark in court.

Because once you stepped through such a family's threshold, it was like being adopted as a son-in-law. Not only might there be no support in court, you'd probably have to humble yourself for life even at home.

The Meng family was different. Bearing the reputation of the empress's natal family, with a family head serving as chancellor, the emperor and empress were harmonious, and real power was in their grasp. Such a family would only get better and better, first-class nobility.

Being their son-in-law, as long as you weren't a fool or waste, you'd have great prospects.

Now it could actually be Third Son's turn...

Liu Shi gripped the handkerchief in her hands tightly, barely managing to steady herself before asking in a steady voice: "Which young lady from the Meng family are we speaking of?"

Qi Yun replied: "The Meng family has two daughters in total. The one we're discussing now is the empress's biological younger sister, the Meng family's Fifth Miss, whose given name is Zhilan."

Fifth Miss, Fifth Miss Meng.

Liu Shi repeated this title in her heart several times, memorizing it. For a moment she couldn't think to ask about birth dates and such, instead saying: "I wonder what this Fifth Miss's temperament and appearance are like, and whether she's easy to get along with?"

Although Qi Yun had never seen Meng Zhilan, just from the Meng family's upbringing and Chu Chengyun's hints, he could guess a thing or two. Now he said: "Excellent in both character and appearance, extremely easy to get along with. Mother can be completely at ease."

If it were other families, even if Qi Ming was a newly successful Third-Place Scholar who had gained the emperor's trust, coming from an ordinary family background, he would inevitably be looked down upon by his in-laws.

But the Meng family was different. Such families necessarily had strict family rules, with many family members serving as officials in court, placing great importance on reputation, which would actually spare Qi Ming from contemptuous treatment.

Liu Shi nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. As a mother, Liu Shi only needed to know that her daughter-in-law was good, and she didn't care about anything else.

Father Qi, however, had finally recovered and hadn't heard clearly what the mother and son had been discussing. He just looked at Qi Yun and asked: "Second Son, why did the Meng family agree to become in-laws with our family?"

Qi Yun lowered his eyes, thinking to himself that naturally it was because the emperor was Qi Ming's sworn brother, wanting to become brothers-in-law, and also wanting to find Qi Ming a backing in court to facilitate his future governance, which was why he was so eager to arrange this match.

But Qi Yun wouldn't tell his parents this. After all, they were getting old and couldn't handle shocks. Although becoming sworn brothers with the emperor sounded extremely glorious, if he said it out loud, it would probably frighten the two elders and inevitably make them worry. Moreover, if it spread, it might not be good for Third Brother's reputation.

"Accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger" was a widely circulated saying. Everyone felt that hovering around the emperor was extremely dangerous. Even though Qi Yun himself knew that the current emperor was rarely benevolent and virtuous, others wouldn't believe it.

So Qi Yun only said: "After Third Brother succeeded in the examinations and paraded on horseback through the streets, he was noticed by Fifth Miss Meng. The two fell in love at first sight and were smitten at second sight, making promises to each other. Only then did the Meng family agree."

This was also the truth. A young lady admiring the Third-Place Scholar, a young man enchanted by a beautiful maiden, this was just natural order.

But hearing this in Father Qi and Liu Shi's ears, they immediately imagined quite a drama.

Liu Shi even sighed: "I'm afraid Fifth Miss had to struggle considerably to persuade her family. The poor child."

Father Qi also nodded: "To even request the emperor's grace, it was probably our Third Son's idea."

"I wonder if the in-laws are angry..."

"Third Mother, we must prepare plenty of betrothal gifts. We certainly can't slight the in-laws."

Qi Yun: ...

Second Master Qi couldn't quite figure out what his parents were thinking, only feeling he really shouldn't have let them listen to so many story books. Those love stories written by failed scholars were mostly unreliable, yet they sounded as real as truth.

But since they were already calling them "in-laws," it meant this marriage was definitely going to happen. Qi Yun said no more, instructed his parents to continue their meal, and left with Tie Zi.

After Qi Yun left, the old couple sat facing each other in silence for a long time without speaking.

Originally somewhat hungry, now they were too shocked to feel anything.

Only when the porridge that had been their late-night snack had completely cooled did Liu Shi speak: "Since this is already decided, we need to start preparing... These three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts can't be missing a single item. I need to bring out all the things I've prepared for Third Son."

Father Qi didn't speak, just sat there looking at some unknown place, appearing somewhat dazed.

He was an honest, dutiful man who felt his greatest fortune was marrying such a good wife as Liu Shi. Who knew good things would come one after another, and now they could actually become in-laws with the chancellor.

This... this was like a dream?

Liu Shi was much more decisive. Since the matter couldn't be changed and was actually a blessing falling from heaven, she immediately put aside other thoughts and directly stood up, patted Father Qi's back, saying: "You should at least say something. This is our family's great joyous occasion. Don't keep being so somber. New Year's is approaching, and we should properly prepare things for Third Son."

Father Qi reached back to grasp Liu Shi's hand, looked up at her, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Third Mother, am I... am I dreaming?"

Hearing this, Liu Shi immediately reached out and pinched Father Qi's face, saying irritably: "Enough. Don't I know your courage? I doubt you'd dare have such a dream."

Being pinched hurt, but Father Qi laughed, repeatedly agreeing: "Wife is right, I wouldn't dare have such a dream."

Liu Shi glared at him but also smiled, patted him again, then the old couple couldn't be bothered with eating and just went into the inner room to bring out the family accounts, calculating how to prepare things for Third Son.

This time they were obviously marrying into high society, so these betrothal gifts certainly couldn't be stingy. They had to plan carefully.

But marriage proposals weren't accomplished overnight and needed slow planning. The two Qi elders didn't make a big fuss about it, just quietly prepared things for their Third Son. Since they absolutely believed their Third Son and Fifth Miss Meng had the kind of love story from books that overcame countless hardships, they were even more unwilling to shortchange Qi Ming and Fifth Miss Meng.

Many of the items inevitably required Ye Jiao and Fang Shi's help in purchasing and selecting. Ye Jiao knew the inside story and wouldn't be curious. Fang Shi didn't think in that direction at all. The two sisters-in-law tacitly didn't ask many questions and just bought what was needed.

This year's New Year was still extremely lively, even more festive than previous years.

The Qi family's shops were increasing, and the estate's harvest was also excellent. This year alone, they distributed nearly 300 strings of year-end money.

The 20 guards who had originally come to deliver the plaque also took their leave, their destination unknown. Qi Yun didn't ask, but after they left, he burned three piles of straw and specifically instructed the small kitchen to make some glutinous rice cakes to dispel bad luck.

Although Qi Yun didn't believe in ghosts and spirits, since he guessed these people were going after the two deposed princes and there would certainly be killing, even if just for his wife and children, Qi Yun had to think more and still had some taboos.

People coming to visit the Qi residence were endless, and there were many invitations for Fang Shi and Ye Jiao to attend various tea gatherings.

The meaning was clear. Since all three Qi sons were successful and Ye Jiao had rarely returned while Fang Shi had also finished her confinement, they naturally wanted to take this opportunity to interact more with them, hopefully establishing some connections to help their own families.

Look at Dong Shi - she had a good relationship with Ye Jiao, and now her medicine shop was opening in the capital. How fortunate!

Even if they couldn't connect with Ye Jiao, establishing good relations with Fang Shi would be excellent. The tenant farmers on Qi Zhao's estate all had spare money - such a landlord was rarely seen.

But Fang Shi didn't accept every tea gathering invitation. Since Ye Jiao had been in the capital for a long time and wasn't very clear about local affairs, Fang Shi helped her decide which to attend and which to decline, refusing many. Those they attended were mostly official wives or acquaintances, and Fang Shi always accompanied Ye Jiao, taking good care of her.

Through all this back and forth, the relationship between the two sisters-in-law became much more solid, actually closer than before Ye Jiao left home.

Soon, it was New Year's Eve.

On New Year's Eve, far fewer people came to pay New Year calls. The Qi family simply closed their main gate and began preparing to properly celebrate the New Year and stay up all night.

When it came time for the evening dumpling meal, compared to last year, the table was missing Qi Ming but had many more little ones.

The twins chased Xu Bao around everywhere, with Little Shi Tou following behind to protect them, while Yue'er stayed quietly in Fang Shi's arms, staring around with bright little eyes.

When the dumplings were served, the children were all placed in specially sized smaller chairs. Xu Bao and Little Shi Tou fed themselves, while the twins still needed to be fed.

Originally, Ye Jiao really enjoyed feeding the children. The way they would open their little mouths waiting for you after finishing feeding one was particularly endearing. But this time Ye Jiao handed the feeding task to Nanny Mo.

Qi Yun couldn't help but squeeze Ye Jiao's hand under the table and ask quietly: "What's wrong?"

Ye Jiao turned her head and whispered in his ear: "When I eat dumplings, I always... it's better to let Nanny Mo do it. I'm afraid I'll cause them to choke."

Qi Yun also remembered what happened every New Year's Eve and didn't ask further, just paid even more attention to Ye Jiao.

When he saw Ye Jiao repeatedly and silently stuffing copper coins into her purse, Qi Yun couldn't help thinking that his wife's luck was truly rare in the world.

It seemed when they returned, Ye Jiao could make another copper coin tassel.

This year's New Year's Eve vigil included adults with the children.

On the bed, Xu Bao bounced around, Ruyi giggled and bounced along, and Ning Bao, rarely not curled up alone in a corner, stood and played with his brother and sister.

When the children were playing, Qi Yun and Ye Jiao naturally had no mind for romance, just protecting them as they passed the New Year.

When fireworks exploded outside and firecrackers crackled, after the children watched the excitement, they couldn't stay up any longer and fell into deep sleep. After sending them all back to their respective rooms, the couple was also exhausted.

Even lying together with the perfect atmosphere, though they wanted to do something, they were too tired to manage it.

Ye Jiao yawned, wearing only a breast band, her lotus-like arms reaching over to embrace the man's waist. Eyes closed, she first lay on her side against his chest, then fearing she might press on her husband and prevent him from sleeping well, she nuzzled and moved to nestle in the man's neck, pressing very close.

Qi Yun couldn't help but embrace the woman's slender soft waist, asking gently: "Are you cold, Jiao Niang?"

Ye Jiao was somewhat sleepy, her voice also muffled: "I'm not cold, but I'm afraid you're cold."

Recently with so many affairs, Ye Jiao had many things to do, and Qi Yun was also constantly busy. They hadn't spent much time together.

Little Ginseng could only hold him tighter when sleeping, giving him some nourishment to prevent illness.

Although Qi Yun didn't know this was part of the essential path to nourishing the body, having warm fragrant jade in his arms was always good. He held Ye Jiao even closer and said softly: "Sleep well. In a couple days we'll go to the city to see the flower lanterns."

Ye Jiao agreed with a sound and even smiled, apparently very eager to go.

Actually, speaking of these flower lanterns, she had liked them when first seeing them, but after seeing many, they didn't have that initial freshness. But Ye Jiao really enjoyed doing things together with Qi Yun.

Making dumplings, viewing flower lanterns, even just staying together like this - she liked it all.

Ultimately, she liked this person so much in her heart that she was happy doing anything.

Two days later, the Qi Er family took a carriage into the city.

This time they brought three children, so there were more attendants. They couldn't use the Qi family's small carriage anymore but used the larger one Qi Yun had traveled in when returning home.

Ordinary carriages used one horse, but this one required two horses to pull it. Combined with its stable and expensive-looking carriage body, it was quite eye-catching when out.

Many people recognized this carriage and knew it belonged to Second Master Qi's family when they saw it.

Since the Qi family no longer needed to deliberately keep a low profile - they had already made such a big splash with the golden plaque - riding in a carriage didn't need to be hidden. This outing was therefore particularly comfortable.

When they entered the city, night had already fallen. The carriage slowly stopped outside the Qi family medicine shop.

After Qi Yun got down, he helped Ye Jiao down while saying: "There are many people viewing flower lanterns ahead. Let's park the carriage in the medicine shop's back courtyard and walk in."

Ye Jiao agreed, and after standing steady, reached out to hold Ruyi in her arms while Qi Yun held Ning Bao.

Originally Xu Bao also wanted his parents to carry him, but he knew his little brother and sister were small and he shouldn't compete with them, so he didn't speak up.

Ning Bao took the opportunity when getting down to kiss him and had Ruyi hug Xu Bao too, making Xu Bao beam with joy.

After walking into the crowd viewing flower lanterns, the three children couldn't think of anything else, feeling their eyes weren't enough as they looked left and right with their big eyes wide and round.

Even though Xu Bao had come to see them before and remembered clearly, being a child at heart, he enjoyed looking at these shiny things. Xu Bao now seemed happier than anyone.

He even guessed several lantern riddles. Most riddles tested quick wit, and it was normal for young children with limited experience to not guess correctly. Xu Bao was always cheerful. Even when he didn't guess correctly, he wasn't upset, and when he did guess right, he was extremely happy, insisting on carrying the flower lantern he won himself, chin raised, delighted beyond measure.

Such a good temperament made Ye Jiao smile as she watched, saying to Qi Yun: "Xu Bao is probably the child who worries people least."

Clever, sensible, and most importantly, open-minded - such a temperament could always find ways to make himself happy.

Qi Yun also nodded, looking at Xu Bao with particularly gentle eyes.

You don't know parental kindness until you become a parent. Now that he was a father, Qi Yun finally understood what being a parent truly meant.

He didn't ask for all his children to become dragons and phoenixes, only hoping they could live safely and happily.

Just as he was thinking this, Qi Yun heard Ye Jiao make a sound of surprise.

He couldn't help but stop and follow Ye Jiao's gaze, then saw a familiar stall.

It was surrounded by many people, with a large frame behind it displaying many items of various sizes. The largest was a flower lantern placed on top. Since this was the year of the sheep, the lantern was in the shape of a cute sheep, looking gentle and lovable.

The stall owner was also someone Qi Yun remembered - the gambling stall owner they had encountered when they first met Chu Chengyun several years ago.

His gambling setup was different from others. Rather than throwing copper coins and determining winners by heads or tails, he put many small balls in a box for people to reach in and draw by touch, determining prizes by color.

When they had seen this stall last time four years ago, Chu Chengyun had extremely bad luck, spending considerable money without winning once. Ye Jiao, on the other hand, had excellent luck, winning every time she drew. Later she had even given the fan she won to Chu Chengyun as consolation.

Qi Yun didn't know whether Chu Chengyun still kept that fan, but this stall made Qi Yun feel particularly familiar.

For the stall owner, however, these approaching customers made his back break out in cold sweat.

Logically, in four years he had seen countless people and shouldn't remember customers he'd only met once so clearly.

But someone like Ye Jiao who had nearly "cleaned out" his entire stall was truly once in a century. Encountering such a person once was enough to be unforgettable. Moreover, Ye Jiao was beautiful, and when she smiled, her eyes curved in a particularly memorable way. The stall owner recognized her at first glance.

Before Ye Jiao could speak, the stall owner was already crying mournfully: "Madam, could you perhaps spare me this year?"

Ye Jiao blinked, tightened her hold on little Ruyi, and smiled: "I'm just playing for fun. I'll pay money as usual."

The stall owner still looked bitter, gazing pitifully at Ye Jiao.

Little Ginseng didn't want to make things difficult for him either, knowing she had scared him last time. Thinking of how she won randomly even eating dumplings, with such luck, gambling actually had much less fun.

She didn't want to force anyone and was thinking of forgetting it.

But at this moment, Ruyi reached out her hand and pointed directly at the small sheep-shaped flower lantern hanging above, saying in her baby voice: "Mama, want it."

Ye Jiao looked up, then looked down at Ruyi, smiling: "This one has to be won by yourself, it can't be bought."

Ruyi looked at Ye Jiao, then at the stall owner, her voice soft and sweet: "Ruyi wants it."

The child was wearing a fur-collared cloak today, bright red satin with a circle of white fur around the collar, making her small face even more cute and pretty.

Although the stall owner was afraid of Ye Jiao, seeing such an adorable little baby still made him quite fond of her.

The assistant beside him also said to the stall owner: "This madam has good luck, but surely the child can't also have good luck? Last time was probably just coincidence."

Thinking about it, the stall owner also felt he couldn't be that unlucky and said to Ye Jiao: "Since the young miss likes it, why doesn't madam let the young miss try playing?"

When Ye Jiao played herself, she was willing, but now with a baby playing, she inevitably had to think one step further.

This gambling game, though called a game, was really just betting on luck.

Ruyi was still small, so playing casually didn't matter, but moderation was key. She couldn't be like Chu Chengyun before, drawing endlessly and suffering in the end.

So Ye Jiao looked into Ruyi's eyes and held up one finger: "Mama will let Ruyi play, but Ruyi must promise Mama to only draw once. If you don't get it, that's it. Is that okay?"

Although Ruyi was a little girl, she was always decisive. She immediately nodded and said softly: "I know, just one."

Ye Jiao felt she couldn't let only Ruyi play. Liu Shi had told her to treat children fairly, so Ye Jiao looked at Xu Bao and Ning Bao: "You two also come try with your sister."

Xu Bao immediately agreed cheerfully, saying to Ruyi: "If big brother gets a flower lantern, I'll give it to Ruyi."

Although Ning Bao wasn't very interested, since Ruyi liked it, he also nodded.

Ruyi's eyes stared straight at the flower lantern, putting her little hands in front of her body, breathing on them and rubbing them together, looking very professional.

Qi Yun didn't know who she had learned this from, but watching her was particularly cute. He couldn't help but reach out and touch Ruyi's little head. Only then did the stall owner notice that the person beside this madam dressed all in black so you couldn't even see his face was actually family with her.

But the stall owner had no mind to carefully distinguish who they were, just shook the box in his hand and passed it over.

Xu Bao went first. Nanny Mo lifted him up, and Xu Bao reached in to draw one.

A black ball.

Xu Bao immediately looked up at the stall owner. The originally worried stall owner breathed a sigh of relief, thinking this madam's luck probably wasn't inherited by her children. His face smiled as he said: "What a pity, young master. Black balls have no prizes."

This made Xu Bao somewhat disappointed, but not too upset. He looked excitedly at Ning Bao.

Little Ning Bao disappointed Xu Bao though. His little chubby hand drew out another black ball. He didn't even look at it, just threw it back in the box, puffed out his cheeks, and turned to bury his face in Qi Yun's embrace.

Second Master Qi rarely saw his younger son angry and quickly patted his back to comfort him, amused in his heart.

Now Ye Jiao held Ruyi steady with both hands and reached forward to let her draw a ball.

In her heart, Ye Jiao was already calculating how to comfort her little daughter. Although Ruyi had a lively and decisive nature, and as long as she had promised just now not to try a second time if she didn't get it, she would definitely keep her word, she was still young and would need some comforting.

Ruyi breathed on her hands again and clenched her fists to encourage herself before putting her little hand into the box.

She was extremely cautious. Since she only had one chance, little Ruyi took it very seriously. Her hand stirred around inside twice before taking one out.

Since children's hands are small, even a small ball couldn't be completely grasped. When her hand came out, the color could already be seen.

Because Qi Yun was blocked by Ruyi's fur collar, he couldn't see what she had drawn.

Ye Jiao looked down and saw some surprise in her eyes.

Ruyi, however, gripped that ball tightly, her big eyes looking toward the stall owner.

Then came the sound of the stall owner sucking in a cold breath, followed by seeing his mustache droop as his voice carried some resignation: "Red ball... one red ball, one golden sheep flower lantern."

The assistant exclaimed in surprise, then was glared at by the stall owner.

Who said good luck wasn't inherited? Liar!